A sharpened razor's edge is hard to cross —
The dangers of the path —
Wise seers proclaim them!
— Katha Upanishad, Chapter III [14]
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Friday, July 23, 2010
Puzzle by John Farmer, edited by Will Shortz
Four 15-letter answers are the main feature of this cutting-edge Friday crossword — DIAMOND JIM BRADY (14A. Gilded Age tycoon with a legendary appetite), ON THE RAZOR’S EDGE (52A. In a precarious position), GRAND INQUISITOR (1D. Christ’s visitor in a tale from “The Brothers Karamazov”) and BLACK SOX SCANDAL (10D. Subject of “Eight Men Out”).
People aplenty in today’s puzzle — ADRIAN (13D. N.F.L. rushing star Peterson); ANISTON (42A. 2002 Emmy winner for lead actress in a comedy); ANN (47A. Barack Obama’s mother); BIERCE (11D. Writer of “Happiness, n. An agreeable sensation arising from contemplating the misery of another”); 11A. Jean BRODIE, 1969 Oscar winning title role for Maggie Smith; ELECTOR (23D. 12th Amendment concern); GRIER (1A. Fearsome Foursome teammate of Jones, Olsen and Lundy); 15D. Frank Zappa rock opera "JOE’S Garage”; LEAPERS (46A. People born on February 29, colloquially); LOM and LON (7D. Actor Herbert of the “Pink Panther” films; 18A. Chaney Sr. or Jr.); NORMAN / ROIS (48A. 58-Across leaders); ORD (20A. Fort named for a Civil War major general); OSMOND (36D. Onetime teen idol who later hosted “Pyramid”); REDLEGS (5D. Ted Kluszewski’s team when he won the 1954 N.L. home run title); RENE (17A. Actor Auberjonois); 43D. “I’m such a SPAZ!“ (klutz’s comment); SPIRO (35D. Two-time running mate of Richard); SRA (56D. Dama’s title: Abbr.); TEUTONS (31A. Whom the Romans defeated at the Battle of Aquae Sextiae, 102 B.C.); YEATS (16D. “Easter, 1916” poet); YENTE (40D. Matchmaker for Tevye’s daughters).
Other — BENIGN, DO-OVER (57A. Mulligan, e.g.), DROSS, E-TAIL, NEURONS, NIAGARA, OO LA LA, PLAN B, POINT AT, REATA, SOUPCON, STEP ONE, STOICAL, STOPS BY, SWEETEN, TAG SALE, WAR ZONE.
Short stuff — ACRE, ALB, CEE, CRUX, EIN, EVA, GAP, I DO, IMS, KIA, NARA, PSI, QUIZ, RET and ROT, ROME, SAT, SCI, SEMI, SHOE, SNIT, SPAZ, ’SUP and TUP (32D. Male sheep).
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Puzzle available on the internet at
THE NEW YORK TIMES — Crossword Puzzles and Games.
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Remaining clues — ACROSS: 6. Alternative; 12. “That’s ni-i-ice!”; 19. One of about 14,500 in Manhattan; 21. Dulcify; 25. ___ Motors; 26. Grade sch. Class; 27. Shop-at-home method?; 28. Wasn’t off one’s rocker?; 29. Eye, ear and nose; 33. Sporcle.com feature; 34. Nub; 35. Hint; 38. Visits; 41. Scuba tank meas.; 44. First to come?; 45. Exchanges that may come with emoticons, briefly; 50. Interregnum; 51. Pother; 59. Ranch in the 1956 film “Giant”; 60. Growing area of commerce. DOWN: 2. Home of the Arch of Constantine; 3. When repeated, cry often made with a hand up; 4. Brahms’s “___ Deutsches Requiem”; 6. Indicate; 8. Mass apparel; 9. First capital of Japan; 14. What’s discarded; 21. Unmoved; 22. Dangerous place to be; 24. Cell transmitters; 30. “___, bro?”; 37. Metaphor for a flood of tears; 38. It’s a start; 39. Harmless; 49. Brogue, e.g.; 51. Part of a convoy; 53. ___ Air (carrier to Taiwan); 54. Not working: Abbr.; 55. Tripe.
